Reprinted from a 1971 edition of the Courier-DemocratReprinted from a 1971 edition of the Courier-Democrat. Qualifying for seats in All Region Band at a clinic in Fort Smith were Dardanelle High School students (from left) Danny Wood, Betti Blevins, J.D. Parker and Steve Edge.

Community people: Dr. Sarah McKeonTHE COURIER / Submitted Pictured is Dr. Sarah McKeon (right of center), director of bands at Texas Tech University, who visited the Russellville Junior High School on Friday. McKeon worked with the RJHS Bands as part of the Arkansas Tech University Southern Regional Concert Band Festival.

Online tax bill fails 50-43Online companies that do not already collect sales tax in Arkansas will not be forced to do so by state law after a controversial bill aimed at collecting sales tax on purchases from online merchants failed in a 50-43 vote in the House Monday. Senate Bill 140 would require online sellers that gross more than $100,000 or process at least 200 separate transactions to collect sales tax or to report annually to the state Department of Finance and ...

Texarkana man accused in wife's death to undergo evaluationTEXARKANA— A Texarkana man facing a criminally negligent homicide charge for allegedly running over his wife with his truck has been ordered to undergo a mental evaluation. The Texarkana Gazette (http://bit.ly/2nGmmHi ) reports 35-year-old Lucas Connor McCarley, who is accused of causing the 2016 death of 35-year-old Casey McCarley, appeared in court for a pretrial hearing Monday morning. Public Defender Matt Stephens told Circuit Judge Brent ...

Collins' plant sale finale scheduled for April 14-15It will be the end of an era when the Arkansas Tech University Department of Agriculture hosts its spring 2017 plant sale on Friday, April 14 and Saturday, April 15. This spring will mark the 34th and final year that Dr. Jim Collins, professor of horticulture, will oversee the plant sale. He is retiring at the end of the spring 2017 semester. The sale will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days at the Tech Greenhouses on the north side of the...

Journalism panel set for SaturdayA panel of current and former journalists is scheduled to discuss media literacy in the digital age on Saturday. Organizers say the panel will tackle topics such as identifying reputable news sources, disseminating fact from opinion and conducting investigative reporting, among other things. An open community discussion will follow the panelists' remarks. The event is scheduled to begin Saturday at 5 p.m. at Dog Ear Books in Russellville. Four...

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Courier Staff ReportsThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Arkansas health panel approves limiting opioidsLITTLE ROCK — An Arkansas health panel has recommended limiting coverage of opioid prescriptions in health plans that cover tens of thousands of state employees and teachers. The recommendations, which are aimed at curbing drug dependence and abuse, were compiled by the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Board's Drug Utilization and Evaluation Committee, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (http://bit.ly/2oEYiWw ) reported. The sugges...

Arkansas moves closer to killing these 8 inmates this monthLITTLE ROCK — In two weeks, Arkansas plans to launch the unprecedented execution of eight inmates in a 10-day period. The state adopted the accelerated schedule — double executions on April 17, 20, 24 and 27 — because a key chemical component that it intends to use in the lethal injections expires April 30. A look at the condemned prisoners and their cases: ___ BRUCE EARL WARD Ward, 60, has been on death row since 1990 for the death of a clerk...

Obituary: Patricia WrightDARDANELLE — Patricia Louise Wright, age 76, of Dover died Tuesday, April 4, 2017, at her home. She was born Jan. 11, 1941, at Manila to James W. Wortham and Mergie M. Phillips. She was member of the Senior Citizens Center and she loved to dance. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Samuel M. Wright. Survivors include two children, Malinda J. Bates of Dover, Scott J. Woods of Henderson, Nev.; two brothers, James Wallace Wo...

Obituary: John BlackardCLARKSVILLE — John Irvin Blackard, 95, of London died April 1, 2017, in Clarksville. He was born on Sept. 2, 1921, in Hickey Town. He served in the Army in WWII. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert E. Lee Blackard and Irene Hickey Blackard; his wife Cathryn; two brothers; three sisters; and his son-in-law, Phil Edward Easley Sr. He is survived by sons, John W. Blackard of Hickey Town, Boyd G. Blackard of Hickey Town, and Terry D. B...

Obituary: Mattie PayneMattie Payne, 90, of Russellville passed away Monday, April 3, 2017. She was born Nov. 29, 1926, in Carden Bottom to James Edgar and Effie King Abston. She is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Grace Abston Hart; brother, Cleo Abston; three nephews, Terry Bennett, Phillip Newport and Danny Newport. She is survived by her loving husband of 68 years, Lee Payne; three children, Eddie Payne, Kathy Piltz, and Dianne Barchett; sister, Helen A...

Obituary: Tommy ViaDARDANELLE — Thomas “Tommy” Allen Via, age 54, of Plainview died Monday, April 3, 2017, at UAMS in Little Rock. He was born Nov. 6, 1963, at Amarillo, Texas, to Norbin Ray and Mary Nell Smith Via. Tommy enjoyed a lot of things and lived life to the fullest. Most of all he loved his family, especially his children. He was preceded in death by his father, Norbin Via; stepfather, Larry Bates; stepbrother, Scott England; and stepsister, Kimela Rey...

Pottsville planning, zoning passes Blocker Estate closurePOTTSVILLE — The Pottsville Planning and Zoning Commission conducted a public hearing and voted to close a road during Monday’s regular meeting. In March, Karen Martin asked the commission to close Blocker Estate on Sweeden Road. Previously a road ran through the estate. Since then, the property was purchased with the intent to build. A public hearing was conducted regarding the matter on Monday which was passed. In other business, the final p...

Rider demos, dinner and fellowshipThe Equestrian Zone conducted its annual Boots and Benefactors event Saturday at the Barn at Twin Oaks in Dardanelle. Though the Equestrian Zone had a goal of $35,000, it raised just over $37,000. Last year the event hosted approximately 178 participants, though it saw an increase this year with a total of 275 people. “We are so grateful to the community and to the Lord for so much provision,” Jodi Kusturin, with the Equestrian Zone, expressed...

Still rememberedStaff Sgt. David Wyatt, a Russellville native and one of five Marines who lost their lives during a 2015 attack in Chattanooga, Tenn., will be posthumously awarded a Navy and Marine Corps Medal on May 7. According to previous reports, on July 16, 2015, when a gunman entered the Naval Reserve Center in Chattanooga, Tenn., and fired shots, Wyatt led workers outside of the building. Along with Gunnery Sergeant Thomas Sullivan, the two helped the ...

Students set to display homeless sheltersFive teams of high school students will put homeless shelters they constructed on display at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville on April 7 as part of a symposium concluding the inaugural Students Design for Change program. The shelters will be available for public viewing from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Chambers Cafeteria parking lot at 204 West O Street in Russellville. In case of rain, the shelters will be located in the W.O. Young Building...

Candidate Q&A: Phyllis CarruthEditor's note: The Courier reached out to the candidates vying for the Ward 1, Position 1 seat on the Russellville City Council. The candidates were asked the same questions. Why are you seeking this position? My family has lived in Russellville since 1976. I started PJ’s Corner in 1978, which continues to operate to this day. My passion for being involved with city government reached its height at the time my husband, Phil, was mayor. These e...

Candidate Q&A: Chuck FrankhouseEditor's note: The Courier reached out to the candidates vying for the Ward 1, Position 1 seat on the Russellville City Council. The candidates were asked the same questions. Why are you seeking this position? I feel I have much to offer to our city government; by providing strong, vocal leadership that will lead to sound decisions for the future of Russellville. • I am progressive, pro-growth and pro-business. • I support community involvemen...

Candidate Q&A: Andrew BarrettEditor's note: The Courier reached out to the candidates vying for the Ward 1, Position 1 seat on the Russellville City Council. The candidates were asked the same questions. Why are you seeking this position? I've lived in many places in my life, but when I moved to Russellville three years ago, my daughter and I knew we had found our home. I've attended or watched all of the city council meetings since we landed here, and I feel like the cit...